Odyssey Opera Thrills with Tchaikovsky's "Maid"

Outside of the popular“Eugene Onegin” and to a lesser degree, “The Queen of Spades,” Tchaikovsky’s operas have never taken hold in the repertoire of the West’s opera houses. This is most certainly the case with “The Maid of Orleans,” which, apart from an aria lifted and performed frequently as a popular concert piece, rarely is staged anywhere. And that is, for anyone who’s seen or heard it, a crying shame. While critics often cite its libretto as unwieldy and overpopulated with unnecessary characters, the same accusations are frequently leveled at other operas, many of which have become beloved staples of the repertoire.

Presented in concert form, Boston’s intrepid Odyssey Opera, under the leadership of Musical and General Director, Gil Rose, made as strong a case for Tchaikovsky’s “Joan of Arc’ opera as one is likely to encounter. Over the course of its nearly four spread over four acts, Jordan Hall was filled with one of Tchaikovsky’s most inspired operatic scores, leaving an audience cheering at the end of each act – and sometimes in between.

“Maid of Orleans” rises or falls on its leading lady and here, Jordan's audience was lucky to witness mezzo Kate Aldrich scoring a triumph, adding the difficult role of Joan to an already formidable arsenal of characters. We went along with her on Joan's journey which began with a quiet, pensive defiance as she developed into the beloved, revered military prophet whose fate would so tragically turn.
Aldrich sang Joan's tender “farewell” to her homeland with moving, heart melding conviction. Following soon after comes the scene of her calling, as a chorus of angels informs her she shall never know human love and, instead of bridal vestments, to gird herself in armor and prepare to lead the French to victory. In an instant Ms. Aldrich transformed from shy teen, to inspired warrior, in both voice and visage, expressing a sense of baffled wonderment that made the seemingly impossible, wholly believable. Deploying her beautiful, medium-sized mezzo with intelligence and emotion, Aldrich skillfully scaled back her warm sound when necessary, though projecting it easily throughout the house. This technique meant there was plenty left in the tank for the singer to explode with sound at Joan's biggest moments, and here Aldrich soared, easily - even at the top of her range - over the massed forces, fearlessly, thrilling her audience. I can't imagine the role of Joan being better served.

Without benefit of staging and costumes, a savvy singer can, in their own clothing, make an even stronger impression than a “one-size-doesn’t-fit-all,” uninspired costume would otherwise allow. Let’s just say Kate Aldrich is the savviest of singers. While two striking gowns helped establish Joan’s character, Aldrich achieved a true coup de théâtre when, for her execution, she entered the stage slowly, barefoot, her previously upswept hair loosened, and clad only in a simple, gray shift, holding her score in front of her as though God’s holy writ. As the chorus sang of how young Joan appeared, and how every heart was breaking, so did ours.


A fleeting romantic alliance with her captured enemy, Lionel, changes the course of the story and seals Joan’s fate. With his rich, smooth baritone, Aleksy Bogdanov’s Lionel presented the perfect foil as he and Aldrich poured everything they had into the great love duet capturing the myriad of emotions assigned to their characters, in some of the most beautiful singing of the evening.

As Joan’s first caring then hectoring and accusatory father, Kevin Thompson displayed a big, booming sound that impressed, though a degree or two more of shading and subtlety would have been welcomed to create a character of a bit more depth. That being said, his scenes with the attractive ping of tenor Yeghishe Manucharyan’s Raymond, were exciting leaving one wishing both had a bit more to sing.

Kevin Ray – with his bright, stentorian tenor, made a strong impression as King Charles, from his despair over France’s military losses, to rapture at hearing the pronouncements of victory from the Maid of Orleans. David Kravitz, Erica Petrocelli, David Salsbery Fry, and Mikhail Svetlov filled out the character of Charles’ with lovely sound and as much depth as Tchaikovsky allowed.

Throughout the long evening, it was evident from the first to last notes, Maestro Rose is passionate about this score and, asking everything from his forces they responded as if there were no other choice. While I applaud the decision to restore cuts, in this instance the overly long ballet sequences, while showing off the orchestra's virtuosity, sounded little more than uninspired outtakes from the composer's Nutcracker and, at least for this listener, could have happily been excised and tightened the drama.

Jordan Hall’s acoustics are among the best anywhere and the “wall of sound” experience it presents listeners is one not frequently encountered and can leave jaws on the floor. Tchaikovsky’s score, with fanfares, massed ensembles and choruses, allows for plenty of that right through the raging fire music as Joan meets her grisly doom. When it all comes perfectly into play, it cannot help but leave an audience cheering. This was one of those nights.

Photographs courtesy of Kathy Boyce

Rienzi in Beantown

(Photo of Jordan Hall Rienzi rehearsal from Boston Globe)

Yesterday afternoon and evening, Gil Rose led his new opera company, Odyssey Opera, in as strong a case as can possibly be made both for Wagner's sensational "Rienzi" and for concert opera, generally.

I've long loved "Rienzi," but gave up hopes of ever hearing a live one, so yesterday's performance at Jordan Hall was one not to be missed. A minute into the overture, where the theme of Rienzi's prayer enters I already was misting up. This music always does this to me ... I'm one who believe that simple theme to be one of the most beautiful melodies ever penned by mortal man.

Rose had at his disposal, massive forces and had them under control throughout a long, two-part day (beginning at 3, with a two hour dinner break then resuming again at 7:30). The orchestral playing was spot on, with all the Wagnerian effects one could desire, including a woman's chorus (Boston's Lorelei Ensemble) singing from the balcony. For the glorious third act, two separate brass choirs at balcony's rear provided thrilling antiphonal surround sound effects, with separate batteries of snares in the corners, making the entire musical experience of the breathtaking kind. Volume-wise, with chorus, ensembles, band and brass choirs all going full tilt, I'm hard pressed to recall a as aurally thrilling experience in my recent memory.

In the title role, Lithuanian tenor, Kristian Benedikt had a nice, burnished, heroic edge, though, particularly early on, there was less volume to his sound than one may have wanted. During the introduction to the prayer in Act 5, Benedikt removed the gold sash Rienzi had worn most of the night, folded it and cast his eyes heavenward - a marvelous, theatrical touch followed by a imploring, heartfelt performance of that most exquisite aria, earning Mr. Benedikt a nice, deserved ovation.

Elisabete Matos, as Irene, began with some stridency to the tone, but, by Act 2 had warmed up tossing out high notes that thrilled - enormous and ensemble dominating. Irene's scenes, particularly with Stephano, had real genuine melodrama and the two women's voices matched each other in the power department. How fortunate our Stephano was Margaret Jane Wray who produced the most consistently exciting singing of the day. With the most to sing, Wagner could easily have renamed his opera "Stephano."

Robert Honeysucker poured out warm, smooth-as-silk sound as Cecco del Vecchio. Excellent singing also from Ethan Bremner, Stephen Salters, Kristopher Irmiter, Christina English, David Kravitz (who made one wish Orsini was a longer role) and Frank Kelley.

It was a night of triumph for Odyssey Opera's - and Rienzi's - debut in Boston, long ovations greeted each of the singers - one of the evening's longest and loudest reserved for the company's marvelous chorus.

Wagner's too-little heard early opera was in fine hands and this was definitely an afternoon - and an evening - to remember.